الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Summary
The postnatal period is significant for the mother,
baby and family for two important reasons. First, it is a
time of physiological adjustment for both mother and baby.
Second, it is a period of important social and emotional
adjustment. The postnatal period, starts about an hour after
the delivery of the placenta and it includes the following six
weeks. However, the postnatal period is often neglected by
maternity care in both developing and developed countries
(Scottricci, 2011).
In addition, women’s needs during this period have
been all too often eclipsed by the attention given to
pregnancy and birth. The lack of postnatal care ignores the
fact that the majority of maternal deaths and disabilities
occur during the postpartum period and that early neonatal
mortality remains high (Sandra, 2010).
Anticipatory guidance during postnatal period can
save both the mother and the newborn from potential
difficulties and mortality and any problems if they do
occur, will also likely be of shorter duration with the
chance of recurrence being decreased (Kolcaba, 2013).
Summary
111
Guidelines for routine postnatal care propose that
postnatal care is pre-eminently about the provision of a
supportive environment in which a woman, her baby and
the wider family can begin their new life together (Sarah,
2010).
Postnatal care should be a continuation of the care the
woman has received through her pregnancy, labor and the
birth of her baby. It therefore aims to provide consistency
advice and support for recovery from pregnancy and the
birth, early identification and appropriate management of
physical, psychological, emotional, social health needs, and
facilitate the start of family life (Sarah, 2010).
Self-care is personal health maintenance. It is any
activity of an individual, family or community, with the
intention of improving or restoring health, or treating or
preventing disease. Self-care includes all health decisions
to get and stay physically and mentally fit. Self-care is
exercising to maintain physical fitness and good mental
health. It is also eating well, self-medicating, practicing
good hygiene and avoiding health hazards such as smoking
and drinking to prevent ill health. Self-care is also taking
care of minor ailments, long term conditions, or one’s own
health after discharge from secondary and tertiary health
care (Johonson, 2011).
Summary
112
The present study aimed to evaluate primiparas’
mothers‟ self-care practices during postpartum period.
The study design was a descriptive study design; it
was conducted at post partum departments at Ain Shams
Maternity University Hospital. Data collection started from
beginning of November 2015 and finished at March
2016.Simple random sample teqnique was used, sample
was 665 cases (primipara) that represent 10% of total
sample in previous year, sample criteria was primipara
mothers, normal vaginal delivery.
Tools of data collection:
Interviewing questionnaires for mothers including
(General characteristics of the study sample, and
mothers’ knowledge regarding self-care during
postnatal period).
Likert scale to assess mothers’ attitudes towards selfcare
during postnatal period.
Observational checklist to assess mothers’ performance
of self-care during postnatal period (breast care,
perineal care, healthy nutrition and post partum
follow up).
Summary
113
The results of the study:
The results of the present study showed that
concerning general chacteristics of the study subject; nearly
two thirds of mothers age ranged from 20 – 24 years, the
mean age was 24.0 ±3.2 and also nearly two thirds of
mothers were from urban area, with near three fourth of
mothers with intermediate education. While, majority of
mothers were housewives and have normal delivery with
episiotomy. Concerning knowledge mothers had moderate
knowledge about post-partum self-care. Majority of
mothers had positive attitudes toward post natal self care.
Concerning pos natal self care practices the study revealed
that 90.6% from mothers perform breast care correctly,
86.1% from mothers perform perineal care correctly, 58.9%
from mothers have healthy nutrition and 70.3% from
mothers don’t implement follow up visits.
Conclusion:
The majority of mothers were performing breast care
correctly. The majority of mothers were performing
perineal care correctly. More than one third of mothers had
unhealthy nutrition during post natal period. Nearly Three
fourth from mothers weren’t implementing follow up visits.
Summary
114
The majority of mothers had positive attitudes towards
post-natal self-care.
Recommendations:
Based on the results of this study, the following
recommendations were suggested:
o Conducting an educational program for mothers in
MCH and must be started during late pregnancy to
inform mothers about routine self-care during postnatal
period.
o Providing pamphlets and posters for primipara mothers
to increase their awareness about post-partum self-care
practice.
Further studies in this field:
Barriers for performing self-care practices during postpartum
period.